As any new pet owner knows, training your puppy or dog is ongoing. It’s something that doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes patience, consistency, and commitment to teach your puppy proper behavior.
If you’re just getting started with basic puppy training, here are five tips for getting off on the right paw.
Start young: The earlier you start training your new puppy, the better. When they are puppies is the best time to begin teaching them what’s expected of them and shaping their behaviors and habits. Getting an older dog is never as easy as getting a new puppy and will involve a lot more work on your part.
Consistency: Consistency is the key to puppy training success. It would be best if you showed your dog exactly how he should act and react in every situation you encounter at all times of the day. Be consistent with what you reward (or don’t reward), and your little pup will start to learn much more quickly what’s acceptable behavior and what’s not.
Patience: Training, a puppy, takes patience! Having said that, you also need not expect too much from your new furry friend. You can’t expect your puppy to sit for hours on end or come every time they are called. Your dog is a living being with its personality and desires. Be patient with their growth, and don’t push them too hard.
Praise: When your new puppy or dog does something right, make sure you let them know! A simple “good boy” or “good girl” will suffice but remember to be consistent whether they were good or bad. Never yell at your pup for making a mistake-particularly if it’s the first time (an exception being when they do something dangerous- a good yelp in their direction will usually get the point across).
Be a positive influence: Try to keep your dog around good influences. This means not just other dogs and people but also things in your home that may be bad for them. Keep away from sharp items or anything else that may cause your dog harm. If you provide them with good things, they will be much happier and easier to train.
Follow these five tips for basic puppy training, and you’ll be well on the way to having the best, most well-behaved dog in town! You also have the option to adopt from a reputable dog rescue or from one of the many pets available for adoption in your area and make them a part of your family!
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